Coin dispenser support



Oct. 26, 1965 A. .1. BERARDINELLI 3, 4, 4

COIN DISPENSER SUPPORT Original Filed March a, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ANTHONY J BERARD/NELL/ ATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1965 A. J. BERARDINELLI 3,214,124

com DISPENSER SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 6. 1961 c I: K

c I: I: I: I: I:

INVENTOR ANTHONY J BERARD/NELL/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,214,124 u N COIN DISPENSER SUPPORT 7 Anthony J. Berardinelli, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Continuation of application Ser. No. 93,683, Mar. 6, 1961. This application Sept. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 400,624 2 Claims. (Cl. 24S-278) This application is a continuation of my prior application Serial No. 93,683, filed March 6, 1961, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to means for holding and/ or dispensing coins, and particularly to such means as are useful in automobiles and the like. The invention constitutes an improvement on the construction presented in my Patent No. 2,896,892, entitled Money Holders for Motor Vehicles, and issued July 28, 1959.

The idea of providing a coin dispensing device and a bracket adapted to project from the dash panel of an automobile to maintain the device in a given position, is well known. Previous constructions embodying this idea generally incorporate brackets adapted to support the dispensers rigidly to the dash panel in such a manner that the dispenser and/or bracket project within the leg area of the vehicle and are thus in many instances located inconveniently for both driver and/ or passenger.

My previous, above-mentioned patent represents an improvement over the prior art in that the coin dispenser could be detached from the bracket and the bracket pushed at least partially under the dash, or instrument panel, for purposes of convenience. While such construction represents an improvement, the coin dispenser has to be detached from the bracket, which causes some inconvenience, and moreover, in many instances, even after the dispenser is detached, the bracket undesirably projects beyond the instrument panel.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide in combination with a coin dispenser, a bracket adapted to support the coin dispenser, which bracket provides for virtually universal movement thereby permitting the dispenser as well as the bracket to be moved easily to any convenient position.

Another, yet more specific, object of this invention is to provide in combination with a coin dispenser, a bracket that may be swingingly positioned in both the vertical and horizontal planes while supporting the dispenser.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in combination, a coin dispenser and bracket support therefor, so constructed that the coin dispenser can be easily detached from the bracket, as may be advantageous when the automobile is to be left unlocked. An incidental object of this invention is to provide an improvement in coin dispensers, which improvement provides a convenient means for properly supporting coil springs within the compartments.

Still other objects of this invention are to provide a combination coin dispenser and bracket that are simple in structure, economical in manufacture, and refined in appearance.

The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specifically set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description of the invention. Such description refers to the annexed drawings presenting the preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view presenting a dispenser and bracket therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention:

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the construction presented in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2 showing the manner in which the bracket is attached to the dash panel of an automobile,

3,214,124 Patented Oct. 26, 1965 and the manner in which the dispenser base and bracket cooperate; V

FIGURE is a bottom plan view of the construction presented in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 showing the details of underside components;

FIGURE 4 is, like FIGURE 2, a side view of the construction shown in FIGURE 1; however, FIGURE 4 presents the components as positioned beneath a dash panel;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan viewof the normally upper face of the base member of a coin dispenser casing constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the coin dispenser shown in FIGURES 1-4, FIGURE 6 presenting details of construction;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the top surface of the base member of the coin dispenser shown in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the base member shown in FIGURE 7, FIGURE 8 having been taken on line 88 of FIGURE 7.

By referring to FIGURE 2 initially, it will be noted that the numeral 10 generally designates an automobile dash, or instrument panel, and it is to the underside of such a panel that the bracket 3 provided by this invention is coupled. The bracket 3 comprises bracket members 12 and 14 which serve to support the dispenser generally designated by the numeral 4. On adjacent ends of each of the bracket members 12 and 14 are means defining a hinge 6. Spaced-apart vertical flanges 18 and 19 project vertically from bracket member 12, while flange 16 projects vertically from member 14. Flange 16 fits between flanges 18 and 19 and is pivotally secured in position by means of a suitable pin or bolt 20 passing through aligned apertures in flanges 16, 18 and 19. This hinge permits vertical swinging movement of one bracket member in relation to the other.

The end of bracket member 12 remote from hinge 6 carries a swivel means 8 which serves, as explained in detail below, to allow for horizontal swinging movement of bracket 3, and dispenser 4 carried thereby, relative to dash panel 10. The swivel means 8 comprises a disc 22 having radially extending ribs 24 projecting from its underside as shown in phantom in FIGURE 1, and as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. The ribs 24 cooperate with complementary, radially extending depressions 26 provided in the upper face of the end of the bracket member 12 remote from hinge 6. A spring washer 28, which forms part of the swivel means, yieldingly holds the ribs 24 in the depressions 26 or against the upper face of bracket member 12. The spring 28, swivel 8 and bracket member 12 are all secured together in the position shown by means of a bolt 30 which passes through aligned apertures in these last-mentioned components as well as through a suitable aperture in dash panel 10.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this arrangement permits controlled swinging movement of the bracket members in the horizontal plane, the control being provided by cooperation between the ribs and depressions which serve to releasably fix the bracket in a given position relative to disc 22. A second series of radially extended depressions 32, identical with the firstmentioned series 26, is provided on the upper face of bracket member 12 intermediate the hinge means 6 and the first-mentioned series of depressions 26. The depressions 32 are provided as alternates to the depressions 26 so that the bracket 3 can be coupled with the dash panel to project therefrom the desired extent. It will be understood that by merely loosening nut 31 on bolt 30, the disc 22 can be moved to the left as shown in FIGURE 2, and the components assembled in the manner shown with bolt 30 passing through the apertures in 3 spring 28 and disc 22 and the alternate aperture 33 in bracket member 12. The aperture 33 is of course spaced from end aperture 29 in bracket member 12, and preferably the depressions 26 extending longitudinally of member 12.-

The end of the other bracket member, namely, bracket member 14, remote from hinge 6, has both its side edges beveled, as at 34 (FIGURE 2). These beveled edges cooperate with flanges 37 and 38 depending from a base member 36 of dispenser 4, so as to support the dispenser 4 on the end of bracket member 14 remote from hinge 6. The base member 36 is disc-shaped and has opposed inwardly and downwardly extending flanges 37 and 38 projecting from the underside thereof. Such flanges detachably engage the beveled side edges 34 of the bracket member 14, when the bracket end is slid under the flanges. A stop abutment 40 also projects from the underside of the base member 36 and is located transverse to the pro jections 37 and 38 and in spaced relation to one pair of their ends, the left ends as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The stop abutment is provided so that the base member 36 will be stopped in its correct embracing position on the end of the bracket member 14.

The coin dispenser casing of the present invention follows the general form and structure of the coin dispenser casing shown in my above-mentioned patent. However, there are several improvements thereto described below, namely, the provision of casing slots which allow for viewing monies in each compartment, and the provision of improved spring support means. These improvements are discussed below after consideration is given to general casing construction and operation. The bottom 42 of the dispenser casing 41 is revolvably coupled to the base member 36 by means of a screw 44, as shown in FIGURE 6. The bottom 42 is provided with a counterbore 43 in its underside for receiving the disc-shape base member 36 as shown in FIGURES 2-6. In order that the bottom 42 may be controllably revolved on the base member 36, the base member 36 has a plurality of hemispherical depressions 46 in its top surface thereof, arranged in a circular pattern and equidistant from the periphery of the base member 36. The casing bottom 42 has a single corresponding aperture 48 that successively superimposes each of the depressions 46 as the casing 41 is revolved on the base member 36. A ball detent means 50, comprising a coil spring 52 extending in a compartment 55 of casing 41, and a ball 51 passing at least partially through the aperture 48, are provided, as best shown in FIGURE 6. The ball 51 of the detent means 50 is yieldingly held in its seated position by means of the coil spring 52 and seats successively in depressions 46 as casing 41 is revolved on base member 36. Projecting vertically from the top surface of the casing bottom 42 are a plurality of series of projections 54, each series of which is arranged to form the points of a triangle. Over each series of the projections 54 is placed a coil spring 56, and on top of each of the coil springs 56 is placed a cap means 58. The projections or pins 54 are formed integral with the bottom 42 of dispenser 4 and extend within the springs to support the same in proper position, thus improving prior constructions.

Coupled to and extending vertically from the periphery of the bottom or bottom member 42 is the peripheral side wall 60 of the coin dispenser casing. A plurality of vertical slots 62 extend through the side wall 60 adjacent each of the caps 58 sothat the number of coins on top of each of the caps 58 can easily be viewed. The top member 64 of the coin dispenser casing is partially open adjacent each of the caps 58 and is arranged in such a manner so as to abut any coins on top of the caps 58 or the caps 58 themselves, thereby maintaining the coins and caps inside the casing. The casing, as is standard, comprises a plurality of coin compartments between the top and bottom walls thereof, and one spring and one cap are disposed within each compartment. The springs, as is also conventional, urge coins upwardly into engagement with top wall 64. The top 64 has a centrally disposed shaft 65 which is interiorly bored and threaded at 66 so as to serve with the screw 44, to couple the elements of the coin dispenser casing 41 and the base member 36 together, as shown in FIGURE 6. The details of construction not specifically discussed above are presented in my aforesaid patent, and further reference to the dispenser construction is therefore believed unnecessary.

After reading the foregoing detailed description of the preferred and illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Also, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made to such embodiments without department from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. For use with a casing adapted to dispense coins of varying denomination, a pair of elongated substantially fiat rectangular bracket members, cooperating hinge means located at one end of each of said bracket members permitting vertical swinging movement of one of said bracket members in relation to the other; swivel means located at the other end of one of said bracket members and adapted to be secured to the underside of the instrument panel of an automobile and permit horizontal swinging movement of said bracket members; the other end of said bracket member having beveled side edges; a base member having two opposed flanges extending downwardly and inwardly in relation to the bottom surface of said base member for detachably slidably engaging said beveled side edges of said other end of said other bracket member; means for revolvably coupling a casing with the upper surface of said base member; and a stop abutment projecting from the bottom surface of said base member and extending transverse to said two opposed flanges in spaced relation to and between transversely aligned ends of said two flanges; said swivel means on said one end of said one bracket member comprises a disc, a bolt rotatably mounting said disc with respect to said bracket and passing through aligned apertures in said disc and said bracket, said disc having radially extending ribs projecting from the underside thereof and said one end of said one bracket having a first series of depressions in the top surface thereof extending radially of said aperture and cooperating with said ribs, and spring means normally urging said ribs against said bracket and the depressions therein.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said one end of said one bracket member is provided with another aperture and a second series of depressions extending radially of said other aperture in said top surface, said second series of depressions being disposed intermediate said hinge means and said first series of depressions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,476,758 12/23 Hodny 88-98 1,801,067 4/31 Bodine 248346 1,921,310 8/33 Crisman 248285 2,202,365 5/40 Zeman 2483 11 2,896,892 7/59 Berardinelli 248205 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH A CASING ADAPTED TO DISPENSE COINS OF VARYING DENOMINATION, A PAIR OF ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT RECTANGULAR BRACKET MEMBES, COOPERATING HINGE MEANS LOCATED AT ONE END OF EACH OF SAID BRACKET MEMBERS PERMITTING VERTICAL SWINGING MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID BRACKET MEMBERS IN RELATION TOTHE OTHER; SWIVEL MEANS LOCATED AT THE OTHER END OF ONE OF SAID BRACKET MEMBERS AND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF AN AUTOMOBILE AND PERMIT HORZONTAL SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID BRACKET MEMBERS; THE OTHER END OF SAID BRACKET MEMBER HAVINB BEVELED SIDE EDGES; A BASE MEMBER HAVING TWO OPPOSED FLANGES EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY IN RELATION TO THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID BASE MEMBER FOR DETACHABLY SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID BEVELED SIDE EDGES OF SAID OTHER END OF SAID OTHER BRACKET MEMBER; MEANS FOR REVOLABLY COUPLING A CASING WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BASE MEMBER; AND A STOP ABUTMENT PROJECTING FROM THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SID BASE MEMBER AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSE TO SAID TWO OPPOSED FLANGES IN SPACED RELATION TO AND BETWEEN TRANSVERSELY ALIGNED ENDS OF SAID TWO FLANGES; SAID SWIVEL MEANS ON SAID ONE END OF SID ONE BRACKET MEMBER COMPRISES A DISC, A BOLT ROTATABLY MOUNTING SAID DISC WITH RESPECT TO SAID BRACKET AND PASSING THROUGH ALIGNED APERTURES IN SAID DISC AND SAID BRACKET, SAID DISC HAVING RADIALLY EXTENDING RIBS PROJECTING FROM THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF AND SAID ONE END OF SAID ONE BRACKET HAVING A FIRST SERIES OF DEPRESSIONS IN THE TOP SURFACE THEREOF EXTENDING RADIALLY OF SAID APERTURE AND COOPERATING WITH SAID RIBS, AND SPRING MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID RIBS AGAINST SAID BRACKET AND THE DEPRESSIONS THEREIN. 